BANGKOK: Politicians from Thailand's Muslim minority have held talks with Hamas in an effort to secure the release of around a dozen Thai hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group in Israeli-besieged Gaza, a former lawmaker said on Friday.
"They told me that the Thai hostages are living comfortably and are out of danger," Areepen told Reuters, declining to name the Hamas officials he met."I told them that I am here not to negotiate but simply to ask for their release."Thailand's foreign ministry did not confirm the politicians' talks with Hamas but said it welcomed assistance from all parties as the government seeks the release of the Thai hostages via multiple channels.
Of the more than 1,400 people Israel says were killed in Hamas' Oct. 7 rampage, at least 32 were Thai. "This was not a government-to-government channel but it's through special personal relations," said Areepen, 72, who like Wan Noor hails from Thailand's Muslim-majority deep south region where a slow-burn insurgency has simmered for decades.